Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs seek English FA Cup salvation

The competition’s luster, to many, may have dulled in recent years as managers prioritise so-called bigger prizes.

But Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino will this weekend have their eyes firmly fixed on securing a Wembley date on May 19.

Mourinho’s Manchester United, still reeling from a meek UEFA Champions League exit against Sevilla on Tuesday, host Brighton and Hove Albion, while Conte’s Chelsea travel to Leicester City.

Also, Pochettino takes his Tottenham side to Swansea City.

Third-tier Wigan Athletic, the unlikely spanner in the spokes of Manchester City’s bid for a quadruple, welcome top-flight strugglers Southampton.

The Saints will have new manager Mark Hughes, hired to save them from relegation, in the dugout for the first time.

Mourinho’s one and only English FA Cup triumph was with Chelsea in 2006-2007.

The Portuguese will be well aware that adding a record-equalling 13th for Manchester United is now the bare minimum requirement from his second season at Old Trafford.

Chris Hughton’s Brighton side will be tricky opponents though, having made a good fist of their first season of English Premier League football, sitting 11th in the table.

They are in the last eight for the first time since 1986, three years after they lost to Manchester United in a final replay, having drawn 2-2 in the original fixture.

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored a consolation goal against Sevilla, knows United must respond.

“We have to bounce back. We have one trophy to chase and that is the FA Cup,” he said.

While Manchester United were lambasted for their defeat by Sevilla, Chelsea earned some credit in spite of a 0-3 loss to FC Barcelona on Wednesday.

They have nonetheless lost five of their last nine matches in all competitions, and are far from assured of a top-four finish in the English Premier League.

Leicester, with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in form, will be a tough proposition at the King Power on Sunday.

With no relegation fears, Leicester look prime “dark horse’’ material for a first-ever English FA Cup win.

A good omen for Chelsea perhaps is that the last time they won the trophy, in 2012, they beat Leicester 5-2 in the quarter-finals, albeit at Stamford Bridge.

For Pochettino, the English FA Cup offers the chance finally to rubber-stamp his impressive project at Tottenham with some silverware.

Third and second-place finishes in the English Premier League and topping a UEFA Champions League group which included Real Madrid have earned him compliments aplenty.

But his side are yet to taste the sweet smell of success.

Last year’s English FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea was a kick in the teeth.

It was the same feeling after this month’s UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Juventus, after a 2-1 loss at Wembley.

His side have been installed as favourites by some bookmakers.

But with striker Harry Kane sidelined, Saturday’s trip to south Wales to face a Swansea side rejuvenated under Carlos Carvalhal will be fraught with danger.

Swansea are in the last eight for the first time since 1964 and, in spite of having one eye on their relegation battle, they think something memorable is brewing.

“There is a chance to do something special in the Cup this season, but Tottenham are a fantastic team,” Swansea striker Tammy Abraham said.

“Tottenham will come all guns blazing and we have to do the same. We have to believe we can do it.”